polycrystalline

American  

[pol-ee-kris-tl-in, -ahyn, -een] / ˌpɒl iˈkrɪs tl ɪn, -ˌaɪn, -ˌin /

adjective

1. (of a rock or metal) composed of aggregates of individual crystals.

2. having or consisting of crystals that are variously oriented.

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Etymology

Origin of polycrystalline

First recorded in 1920–25; poly- + crystalline

Example Sentences

It also provides products for the telecommunications industry, optical materials for the semiconductor industry and the scientific community, and polycrystalline silicon products and other technologies.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

In polycrystalline cathodes, engineers carefully balance nickel, manganese, and cobalt.

From Science Daily • Dec. 29, 2025

Along with their composition, the performance of a polycrystalline material is affected by its complex microstructure, dislocations, and impurities.

From Science Daily • Dec. 20, 2023

The project’s blueprint includes a smelter to make aluminum for electric vehicles and other factories to produce petrochemicals, batteries for EVs and polycrystalline materials used in solar panels.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 13, 2023

So, his team decided to make its thermoelectrics from readily available tin and selenium powders that, once processed, make grains of polycrystalline tin selenide instead of the single crystals.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 2, 2021